Shaun Marsh stars as Scorchers seal home Big Bash League semi-final with big win over Strikers

Shaun Marsh hits out for the Perth Scorchers against the Adelaide Strikers . Picture: Morne de Klerk Source: Getty Images

SHAUN Marsh catapulted Perth Scorchers into a home Twenty20 final and himself towards a national recall in a record-breaking triumph against the Strikers in Adelaide.

Former internationals Marsh (79 off 60 balls) and South African Herschelle Gibbs (54 off 34) ignited in a 95-run opening stand as the Scorchers posted a tournament high 189 that was beyond an unbalanced Adelaide unit.

Adelaide folded for 91 in 18.3 overs - saving its worst performance for a capacity home crowd that left disappointed.

"It wasn't our best night," conceded Strikers coach Darren Berry.

Marsh buried the ghosts of his Champions League suspension for ill discipline and early season hamstring strain with a fourth half-century that entrenched him as leading run-scorer this tournament with 328 at 65.

There was no escape clause with game-breaking import Kieron Pollard back in the West Indies. Travis Head (4) lasted two balls on T20 debut.

The Scorchers were in such control by the 11th over with the Strikers needing 137 from 57 balls that skipper Simon Katich recalled Kane Richardson. The allrounder was given out hit wicket but Perth hadn't bothered appealing - denying Coulter-Nile his fourth scalp.

A long tail was exposed with Adelaide 5-39 after 8.1 overs and needing 151 runs at a prohibitive 12.58 run-rate.

The Strikers' decision to leave out left-armer Gary Putland and gamble on four spinners proved flawed.

Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon's only over went for 17 runs with Marsh and Gibbs splitting four boundaries while leg-spinner Cam Boyce (0-28) and Johan Botha (0-37) also failed to land a blow.

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